For more information, contact: Robert Krueger at 1-202-624-7051

WASHINGTON (November 12, 2014) – Sarene R. Marshall, former senior advisor for The Nature Conservancy, has joined the Urban Land Institute (ULI) as the executive director of the newly created Center for Sustainability, the institute announced today. She will report to Kathleen Carey, ULI’s Chief Content Officer.

The ULI Center for Sustainability was established earlier this year with a goal of helping to catalyze the creation of healthy, resilient communities around the world. According to ULI Global Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Phillips, the creation of the center will help broaden the scope of the institute’s earlier work on sustainability that was initiated through the Climate, Land Use, and Energy (CLUE) program and the ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance. “We are delighted to have Sarene on board to lead our efforts on community sustainability and resilience,” Phillips said. “ULI’s work in this regard has never been more necessary or relevant, and Sarene has an exceptional skill set to enhance the impact of the program’s work within the Center for Sustainability. I have high hopes for what the center will achieve with Sarene’s guidance.”

As head of the Center for Sustainability, Marshall will oversee ULI’s activities in the areas of climate change, energy, sustainability, and resilience. She will work to develop a new, global strategy around a business plan for the Greenprint Center for Building Performance and the Urban Resilience Program – two of ULI’s existing programs that will be housed within the new center. Through the work of the Greenprint Center for Building Performance and Urban Resilience Program, the Sustainability Center will provide leadership and support to land use professionals who invest in energy performance and portfolio resilience while reducing risks due to the changing climate.

The Greenprint Center, a unique industry-led initiative comprised of real estate owners, investors, financial institutions and other industry stakeholders, seeks to lead the global real estate industry towards improved environmental performance, focusing on energy efficiency as well as reduced carbon emissions, water and waste. Greenprint is a member-driven organization that achieves its goals through measurement, action and education. The Urban Resilience Program, funded through a generous grant from the Kresge Foundation, explores how cities can prepare for the expected effects of climate change and provides both resources and strategies to mitigate those risks and to create a more resilient and durable vision for community development.

“I am thrilled to be joining ULI at this critical time. Getting development right for cities, the planet and its people is essential to our social, environmental and economic well-being,” said Marshall. “I look forward to working with ULI’s members and stakeholders to share strategies and best practices to reduce negative impacts and improve the performance of future urban development.”

While at The Nature Conservancy, Marshall bolstered the Conservancy’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint by managing carbon, waste, water, and recycling. She also worked with the Conservancy’s Latin America region to develop new initiatives on food security, water security, and smart infrastructure. During her time at the Conservancy, Marshall served as managing director for the global Climate Change program and associate director of Forests and Climate program – two of the Conservancy’s largest programs. She also led change management, globalization and strategic planning projects on behalf of TNC’s executive team.

Prior to her twelve years at The Nature Conservancy, she held positions with Mercer Management Consulting (now Oliver Wyman), a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, and the World Wildlife Fund. Marshall holds a Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School/Lauder Institute. In addition, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from George Washington University.

###

About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute (uli.org) is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has more than 32,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.